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This debrief will be a little different. We are missing some figures (those shared by Domitille Raveau from Consentis) and some sociological insights (those from Alice Laurent-Camena). We’ll wait for the official video to do a proper recap. Here, we are mostly sharing our own reflections on the panel.
Thanks to Chloé, Candice and Capucine: for the topics, for the invitation, and above all for giving us the chance to speak openly, without filters, with kindness and thoughtful questioning.
A heavy climate
I (Laureline) came in with a very negative mindset. The night before, I had once again received threatening messages — this has been going on for months. Seeing the rise of SLAPP lawsuits (initiated by people with far more resources than their victims), harassment and intimidation, I found it difficult to feel optimistic.
I thought the other panelists might have a more nuanced or positive outlook. That was not the case.
The only positive point
There is one area where progress is being made: prevention associations. They do an enormous amount of work and are managing to spread powerful messages, shifting mentalities, especially around consent. But they are weakened by funding cuts. Their role is vital: they need financial support and greater visibility.
Testimonies and sacrifices
Donatien Huet (Mediapart) returned to his article on Arnaud Rebotini and the agency WART. He explained that most of the cases he investigates may never see the light of day. FYI, despite the seriousness of the accusations, Rebotini was rebooked by a Paris label one week after the article was published. Only two women artists left the agency. A bitter reality.
As for me, I spoke about sacrifice.
Engaging in the fight against sexual and gender-based violence means accepting boycotts, career slowdowns, and sometimes threats and harassment. But it also means building safety nets for victims:
pro bono legal coaching to help file complaints,
physical accompaniment to competent police stations,
media relay once the complaint has been filed,
the importance of anonymous testimony pages,
and, as Domitille reminded us, the need for clauses in booking contracts to “protect” organizers when an artist is publicly accused (cancellation costs).
The importance of community
Artist Diane Wurtz emphasized the role of a strong, uncompromising community. That’s what allowed her to keep creating within the queer scene. But she remains pessimistic. She also raised a very interesting point: the generational gap when it comes to consent. For boomers, the subject didn’t exist. For my generation, we were still told: “if you drink too much, it’s your fault.” Today, Gen Z grows up with different frameworks, but dialogue across generations is far from simple.
I also invite you to look at the comments under this post following the death of Erick Morillo. He was due to stand trial for rape, and everyone knew it. This is what personally radicalized me on how sexual violence is treated in electronic music. The “genius” of a man outweighs the dignity of victims.
A bitter conclusion
In the end, prevention is progressing but risks collapsing due to lack of resources.
The rest: a code of silence, media and promoters who continue to book accused artists (knowingly), influencers complicit in the name of money or “presumption of innocence,” and SLAPP lawsuits multiplying.
Those in contact with victims are exhausted. And without a fair justice system, nothing will move forward. But we will need to continue to sacrifice, multiply complaints, and expose the dysfunctions of the system.